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1 First Sunday of Advent November 27, 2016

2 The Church begins its new liturgical year with a season of hope. Advent time, when we look forward to the celebration of the birth of the world s Savior, has produced liturgies filled with joy and expectation. Advent s liturgies also look forward to Christ s Second Coming, to gather all things into the final Kingdom of God. The liturgy nourishes our faith in the Lord, risen and triumphant. His birth, which we look forward to celebrating, will not take place again. We remember it as the dawning of the final moment of God s eternal plan, a dawning full of promise for the whole of creation. This fundamental theme of Christian faith and hope - encouraging us to look forward to a new heaven and new earth - has been obscured in recent centuries. For sincere believers, expectation of the end of the world should convey far more than the uneasiness and dread it so often arouses. The readings of today s liturgy show us something of the development of this theme in the faith of God s people. It is a reassuring message, indeed, for a people whose history had been presided over by rulers who were for the most part corrupt and selfish. We see this prophecy being fulfilled in the gospel reading from Luke. Jesus knowing that that the final moment of God s designs for creation had come made use in his teaching of the symbolic imagery of the prophets and the current ( apocalyptic ) literature. But he also introduced a startling new dimension to these expectations by uniting them with the coming the Son of Man foretold in the Book of Daniel coming with power and great glory to establish God s eternal reign. The first Christians, who recognized Jesus as the Son of Man who had been foretold, and lived in wonder at what God had done in the Lord s Paschal Mystery, faced a perplexing question. They rejoiced that old Israel s hopes had been so wonderfully fulfilled in the coming of the Son of God and his victory over all evil. But what were they to make of the fact that the world seemed to go on as before? It is not surprising that they saw themselves living in brief time of waiting before the Risen Lord returned to inaugurate God s new heaven and new earth. The Thessalonians to whom Paul is writing a friendly letter the earliest Christian writing we possess, written about twenty years after the Resurrection were wrestling with this problem. They looked forward, in the near future, to the Lord Jesus Christ coming with all his saints ; but, as the letter makes clear, they were confused as they tried to anticipate how this will happen (see 4:13-18; 5:1-11). Paul himself was still coming to terms with the problem we have described. His message to them, however, is reassuring and meaningful, even today: Trust in the Lord, as it becomes clear how this final moment of God s plan is to unfold; remember the gospel teaching of Jesus - be alert and prepared; above all, prepare for what lies ahead by living according to the Lord s commandment of love: Love one another, and the whole human race, as much as I love you. -by John Thornhill, SM

3 Online Giving Online Giving is an easy and flexible way to manage your donations to St. Theresa to make one-time or recurrent donations. There are several ways to access our online giving page: 1 Download a free QR code reader to your phone such as QR Scanner, QR Code Reader, Scan Barcode Pro and scan the image on the right: 2 You can also go directly on your smart phone or tablet to: 3 Use our electronic kiosk located in the Church Narthex, and swipe your credit or debit card directly. 4 Desktop users can login to our website click on the Giving button on the top green navigation bar and select Donations. St. Theresa Women s Club Seafarer Box Drive The Women s Club is asking for donations for their annual Seafarer Box Drive. Items are wrapped in shoe boxes and given to seamen who are visiting the Port of Houston through the Houston Seafarer s Center during Christmas. Here are some suggestions of what to donate (travel size items are best): Band-Aids Q-Tips Toothbrush/ Toothpaste Dental Floss Comb Lotion/Lip Balm Deoderant Shaving Cream Shampoo/Soap Disposable Razors Nail Clippers Socks T-Shirts Baseball Caps Needle & Thread Donations may be placed in the designated box found in the church. For more information, contact Cristela myvera@hotamil.com. Pens/Pencils Postcards/Paper Stamps Playing Cards Gum/Wrapped Hard Candy

4 Archdiocesan Celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe Sunday, December 11th, am Procession 1700 San Jacinto to Convention Center 5 pm Mass Archbishop Daniel Cardinal DiNardo presiding at George R. Brown Convention Center Archdiocesan Celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe All the faithful are invited to the Archdiocesan Celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Sunday, December 11th, 2016 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston. It begins at 10 am with a procession from 1700 San Jacinto St. tothe Convention Center with matachines and singing. The Holy Mass will be celebrated at 5 pm presided by His Eminence Archbishop Daniel Cardinal DiNardo. Please, make plans to join us at this grand celebration. For more information call Pablo Guzman, or pablo123@yahoo.com MISA GUADALUPANA MISA DE NUESTRA SEÑORA DE GUADALUPE MASS OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE PATRONESS OF THE AMERICAS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3 MARIACHIS 6AM MONDAY, DECEMBER 12 SANTA MISA 7AM ESTÁN CORDIALMENTE INVITADOS A FORMAR PARTE DE LA FESTIVIDAD A NUESTRA SEÑORA DE GUADALUPE. LA CELEBRACIÓN EMPEZARÁ DESDE EL SABADO, 3 DE DICIEMBRE, CON UNA NOVENA EN SU HONOR. NOS ESTAREMOS REUNIENDO EN LA IGLESIA A LAS 7 PM PARA REZAR CON DEVOCIÓN. YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THE FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUADA- LUPE. THE CELEBRATION BEGINS ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, AND CONTINUES EACH EVENING WITH A NOVENA IN HER HONOR. WE WILL MEET IN THE CHURCH AT 7 PM TO PRAY THIS DEVOTION.

5 It is that time of the year for our annual Giving Tree! The Christmas tree in the Narthex is covered in ornaments that each include an invitation to give a particular gift to a person in need. We ask that you return the gifts unwrapped by the date determined on the ornament. Through your generous donations, we are able to help the following charities: Magnificat House offers help and hope to Houston's neediest by providing housing, food, meaningful work, spiritual and emotional support, while our residents of all races and creeds rebuild their lives in our community. Casa de Esperanza de los Niños, the House of Hope for Children, is a safe place for children in crisis due to abuse, neglect or the effects of HIV. Casa de Esperanza provides residential care, and coordinates medical and psychological services according to the needs of each child. The mission of the Christian Community Service Center (CCSC) is to serve the poor, hungry, disabled, and otherwise needy while respecting their religious, ethnic or cultural differences. CCSC was created out of faith, and founded in the belief that we are called to help all God's children heart to heart and hand in hand. At Catholic Charities, their goal is to provide life-changing services that lead to productive, fulfilling and independent lives. Every day our impact is felt when the basic needs of the disadvantaged are met, when a mentor inspires a child to succeed against obstacles, and when a community comes together for the common good. Casa Juan Diego was founded in 1980, following the Catholic Worker model of Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin, to serve immigrants and refugees and the poor. From one small house it has grown to ten houses. Casa Juan Diego publishes a newspaper, the Houston Catholic Worker, six times a year to share the values of the Catholic Worker movement and the stories of the immigrants and refugees uprooted by the realities of the global economy.

6 Service to Others The Faith Formation Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st Grade and 2nd Grade students participated in the Mitzvah/Mercy Day of Service making holiday cards for the military and birthday bags for Casa Esperanza. Our altar flowers this weekend were donated by Tony & Michele Catanese.

7 News & Upcoming Events from around the Archdiocese Dec. 2 Viking Cup Golf Tournament Registration begins at 9 am with a shotgun start at 10:30 am Join us at Cypresswood Golf Course, breakfast will be provided by Kolache Shoppe and lunch by El Tiempo Cantina. All proceeds will benefit St. Theresa Catholic School. To register and more information please visit: Dec. 6 Overcome Pornography and Rebuild a Healthy Life 7:00 pm 8:30 pm Examine your struggle with pornography, its deeper causes and the pathways out in this confidential program. Peter Hits guides attendee s in understanding triggers to relapse, obstacles of long term success and rebuilding a healthy life. Contact Peter for more information: peter@landmeetssky.com. Dec. 8 Discover the Road Less Traveled 6:30 pm 9:30 pm A monthly discernment gathering at St. Mary s Seminary for single young adult men ages 18 and older. Meets every month from Sept. to May. Join priests and seminarians for fellowship, prayer, music, dinner and talks about discernment process for priesthood and religious life Memorial Dr, Houston, TX Free event. For more information: Dec. 10 Dec. 8 A Cardinal s Christmas 12 noon 1:30 pm Women Seeking the Road Less Traveled 6:00 pm 9:00 pm A monthly discernment gathering for women ages 18 and older who are discerning a vocation to religious life. Meet in different convents around the Archdiocese every second Thursday of the month from September to May. Program includes supper, a brief presentation and time for sharing, followed by prayer. Sisters from several religious order who live and minister in the Archdiocese will be present. Free event. For more information and registration visit: A Cardinal's Christmas, at River Oaks Country Club (1600 River Oaks Blvd., Houston). 8th annual event where Daniel Cardinal DiNardo welcomes faith and family with children in this Christmas tradition that benefits Catholic Charities children and family services and St. Michael s Home for Children. For more information visit: catholiccharities.org/acc.

8 Helpful Numbers Houston Police For Emergency/Life Threatening Calls: 911 Non-Emergency Calls: Domestic Violence The Bridge Over Troubled Waters 24 Hour Hotline: Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) Counseling (Grief, Family, etc.) Catholic Charities: Families of Addicts Al-Anon Family Groups Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Overeaters Anonymous (OA)

9 Available Space!! Joe Cano, Realtor 950 Corbindale Rd., Ste. 100 Houston, TX m: o: e: Call Mario for all your insurance needs! StTheresaMemorialPark Make sure you visit our page for more about happenings in our community. Annie and Doug Raburn Selling bungalows to mansions in and around Houston for the last 20 years TATUM & MONTGOMERY, CPAs 4545 Post Oak Place, Ste. 300 Serving Small Businesses and Individuals since 1976 Henry Nguyen, C.P.A If you are interested in advertising in our bulletin, please contact Valerie Hernandez at Thank you for your support!

10 Nifty Cleaners 5901 Washington Ave Available Space!! Available Space!! Your Source For Industrial Forest Products 5001 Oates Rd. Houston, TX office fax Sacraments Baptism Contact Ginger Tamborello or visit our website for more information. First Communion & Reconciliation Contact Deandra Mackey or visit our website for more information. Matrimony Application for Annulment Contact Patrick Miral or visit our website for more information. Confirmation Contact Deandra Mackey or visit our website for more information. Reconciliation Saturday 4 pm-5 pm Thursday 5:30 pm-6:15 pm

11 The Week Ahead TODAY Sunday, November 27 8:00 am Mass 10:00 am Mass 10:00 am School Spirit Sunday 11:15 am Sunday by Sunday, Brides Room 11:30 am Spanish Mass 5:30 pm Mass Monday, November 28 7:00 am Mass 6:30 pm Meditation Prayer Group, Mary Chapel 7:00 pm Book Club, Brides Room Tuesday, November 29 7:00 am Mass 7:30 am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 6:00 pm Cubs, Board Room Wednesday, November 30 7:00 am Mass 6:30 pm Women s Encounter, FH Lounge 7:00 pm Spanish Prayer Group, Brides Room 7:00 pm Legión de María, Sacristy 7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal, Church Choir Loft 8:15 pm Men s AA, Fellowship Hall Thursday, December 1 7:00 am Mass 7:30 am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 5:30 pm Reconciliation & Mass 6:00 pm 1st Reconciliation Meeting, Fellowship Hall 7:30 pm Men s Encounter, Board Room Friday, December 2 6:45 am Rosary for Peace and Respect for Life 7:00 am Mass Saturday, December 3 2:00 pm American Legion, Fellowship Hall 4:00 pm Reconciliation 5:30 pm Mass Sunday, December 4 8:00 am Mass 8:30 am RCIA, Church Office 10:00 am Mass 11:15 am Marriage Orientation, Library 11:15 am Sunday by Sunday, Bride s Room 11:30 am Spanish Mass 5:00 pm HS Faith Formation, Church Office 5:30 pm Mass Rosary for Peace and Respect for Life Dec 2 Bob Shanley Dec 9 & Dec 16 Richard Flores Mass Intentions Saturday, November 26 5:30 PM Nunzie & Jeanette Loria Lena Dichero Dewey Leonard Coles, Jr. Jack Chapman Minter Sunday, November 27 8:00 AM Frank Dailing 10:00 AM Pro-Populo (Parishioners) 11:30 AM All Souls Legion de Maria Eva Villalobos 5:30 PM Josephine Carbone Monday, November 28 7:00 AM Michelle Marks Tuesday, November 29 7:00 AM Anthony & Natalie Adams Louis & Joseph Adams Dorothea Kristoff Wednesday, November 30 7:00 AM Maria Tran Cuc 8:05 AM All Souls Thursday, December 1 7:00 AM Tony Goulden 6:30 PM Special Intention Friday, December 2 7:00 AM Josephine Carbone Frances Seeberger Saturday, December 3 5:30 PM Rose Ragusa Sunday, December 4 8:00 AM Frank Dailing 10:00 AM Pro-Populo (Parishioners) 11:30 AM Stevenson Family Mulvilhill Family 5:30 PM Rufina Collazo Next Week s Reader and EMHC Schedule Saturday, December 3 5:30 pm (Team 4) Peg Patrick Roy Hughes Sunday, December 4 8:00 am (Team 2) Cristela Flores Richard Flores 10:00 am (Team 1) Pete Musgrove Katie Wilson 5:30 pm (Team 1) Kirk Gentle Austin Muck

12 Haskell, Houston, TX Phone: Fax: Pastor: Fr. Phil Lloyd, ext. 312 Deacons Deacon Larry Vaclavik Deacon Bill Wilson Deacon Juan de Dios Perez SCHOOL STAFF Principal Melissa Ilski ext. 320 Dean of Students Carman West, ext. 317 Administrative Assistant Rhonda Lastovica, ext. 321 Director of Admissions Kelly McCarty, ext. 314 PARISH RESOURCES AND STAFF Development and Advancement Director Enrique Benitez, ext. 315 Pastoral Associate Matrimony or Application for Annulment Patrick Miral, ext. 310 Director of Music and Liturgy David San Miguel, ext. 311 Finance Manager, Church and School Cherie Hernandez, ext. 305 Church and School Finance Lidia Chapple, ext. 333 Yen Fite, ext. 329 Johanna Bransford, ext. 309 Director of Adult Education / Hospitality Ginger Tamborello, ext. 306 g.tamborello@sttheresa.cc Faith Formation / Youth Ministry Adrian Leal, ext. 308 youthministry@sttheresa.cc Early Childhood Center Director Cindy Clements, ext. 338 c.clements@sttheresa.cc Receptionist/Clerical Assistant Deandra Mackey, ext. 301 d.mackey@sttheresa.cc Bulletin/Clerical Valerie Hernandez, ext. 307 v.hernandez@sttheresa.cc Maintenance Supervisor Andras Bandi, ext. 302 andras.bandi@sttheresa.cc Weekend Masses: Saturday Vigil: 5:30 pm Sunday: 8:00 am, 10:00 am, 11:30 am (Spanish), 5:30 pm Daily Mass: Monday through Friday at 7 am, Thursday at 6:30 pm